North Carolina homeowners whose insurance claims are denied for damage caused by last weekend's tornadoes may be eligible for the Disaster Mediation Program.
Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin is encouraging residents to request mediation for claims that have been partially or completely denied by their insurance companies. Requests must be made within 60 days and damage must have occurred in a declared disaster area.
The no-cost mediation service is available in Bertie, Bladen, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wake and Wilson -- all counties included among disaster areas declared by President Barack Obama.
Cars and commercial property are not eligible.
Any homeowner can file a complaint with the Department of Insurance's Consumer Services Division at 800-546-5664.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
